A Cross-Sectional Household Survey in the US Virgin Islands (2019) Reveals Cisterns as Challenging Peridomestic<i>Aedes aegypti</i>Habitats

Seger, Krystal R.; Day, Corey A.; Gaeddert, Lee; Rao, Gouthami; Kahler, Amy M.; Ellis, Esther M.; Ellis, Brett R.; Byrd, Brian D

doi:10.2987/21-7022

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 9 publications

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“…In some settings, Ae. aegypti also develop in septic tanks or other underground water habitats [24][25][26][27].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Identification of risk factors and mosquito vectors associated with dengue virus infection in American Samoa, 2017

Sharp,

Tufa,

Cotter

et al. 2023

PLOS Glob Public Health

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Introduction The first outbreak of dengue in American Samoa was reported in 1911. Sporadic outbreaks have been reported since, as were outbreaks of other pathogens transmitted by Aedes species mosquitoes including Ross River, chikungunya, and Zika viruses. During an outbreak of dengue virus-type 2 (DENV-2) in 2016–2018, we conducted household-based cluster investigations to identify population-specific risk factors associated with infection and performed entomologic surveillance to determine the relative abundance of Ae. aegypti and Ae. polynesiensis. Methods and findings We contacted dengue patients who had tested positive for DENV infection and offered them as well as their household members participation in household-based cluster investigations. For those that accepted participation, we also offered participation to residents of households within a 50-meter radius of each case-patient’s home. Questionnaires were administered and serum specimens collected for testing by RT-PCR and anti-DENV IgM ELISA. Adult female mosquitoes were aspirated from inside and outside participating households and tested by RT-PCR. We analyzed characteristics associated with DENV infection in bivariate analyses. A total of 226 participants was enrolled from 91 households in 20 clusters. Median age of participants was 34 years (range: <1–94), and 56.2% were female. In total, 7 (3.2%) participants had evidence of DENV infection by IgM ELISA (n = 5) or RT-PCR (n = 2). Factors significantly associated with DENV infection were reporting a febrile illness in the past three months (prevalence ratio: 7.5 [95% confidence interval: 1.9–29.8]) and having a household septic tank (Fisher’s Exact Test, p = 0.004). Of 93 Ae. aegypti and 90 Ae. polynesiensis females collected, 90% of Ae. aegypti were collected inside homes whereas 83% of Ae. polynesiensis were collected outside homes. DENV nucleic acid was not detected in any mosquito pools. Sequencing of the DENV-2 from patient specimens identified the Cosmopolitan genotype of DENV-2 and was most closely related to virus detected in the Solomon Islands during 2016. Conclusions This investigation demonstrated that dengue is a continuing risk in American Samoa. Increased frequency of infection among residents with a septic tank suggests a need to investigate whether septic tanks serve as larval habitats for mosquito vectors of DENV in American Samoa. Future efforts should also evaluate the role of Ae. polynesiensis in DENV transmission in the wild.

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“…In some settings, Ae. aegypti also develop in septic tanks or other underground water habitats [24][25][26][27].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Identification of risk factors and mosquito vectors associated with dengue virus infection in American Samoa, 2017

Sharp,

Tufa,

Cotter

et al. 2023

PLOS Glob Public Health

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Evaluating the Effectiveness of Point-of-Entry UV Treatment for Cistern Water among Households in the US Virgin Islands

et al. 2023

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UV water treatment can be a viable option for point-of-entry applications among households utilizing contaminated private water sources, including roof-harvested rainwater. However, limited data is available on UV system effectiveness and costs. Therefore, Love City Strong, an NGO in the US Virgin Islands, piloted a UV access program which included free UV systems with prefiltration along with installation and monthly household visits for up to 12 months, including water quality testing. In addition, a pilot study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of UV systems without prefiltration. Results from the UV access program demonstrated that E. coli was not detected in 95.1% of tap or spigot samples (n = 268). Among water quality parameters, household characteristics, and premise plumbing dynamics, no factor was significantly higher among samples with detections of E. coli or total coliforms. Among all samples from the pilot study of UV systems without prefiltration, no E. coli was detected (N = 24). Finally, there was a wide range of costsfirst year and annualwhen comparing different types and configurations of UV systems. Given these data, UV systems may be a viable option for generating potable water; however, clear purchasing and operational guidelines are important to reduce user error.

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Evaluating the costs and components of a territory-wide household water storage and treatment program in the US Virgin Islands

et al. 2022

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Among island communities, water security and access continue to be a critical issue. In the US Virgin Islands (USVI), 90% of households are capable of collecting roof-harvested rainwater, whereas less than 25% of households are connected to a municipal water system serviced by desalination plants. Rainwater collection leaves the household in charge of managing and treating their own water. Therefore, understanding current barriers to accessing water treatment technologies and the costs of a water storage and treatment program at scale are critical in developing a territory-wide program. In this study, we evaluate (1) household-level barriers to accessing water treatment technologies, (2) a cost breakdown of a UV water treatment pilot program, and (3) potential estimates of program costs at a territory-wide scale. The results suggest that for households, key barriers include knowledge of the problem or solution and capital and installation costs. From the programmatic cost evaluation, the water treatment technology and water testing services were the most expensive. However, given key adjustments, a territory-wide program is estimated to cost $30.4 M covering 50% of households. These data can be used by a coalition of stakeholders in allocating financial and managerial responsibility for a territory-wide water storage and treatment program in the USVI.

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A Cross-Sectional Household Survey in the US Virgin Islands (2019) Reveals Cisterns as Challenging PeridomesticAedes aegyptiHabitats

Cited by 3 publications

References 9 publications

Identification of risk factors and mosquito vectors associated with dengue virus infection in American Samoa, 2017

Identification of risk factors and mosquito vectors associated with dengue virus infection in American Samoa, 2017

Evaluating the Effectiveness of Point-of-Entry UV Treatment for Cistern Water among Households in the US Virgin Islands

Evaluating the costs and components of a territory-wide household water storage and treatment program in the US Virgin Islands

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